The short 22" bbl makes it handy/quick enough for HD, it has interchangeable choke tubes for hunting all sorts of things and groups Forster "rifled" slugs really well for bear defense.

The fact that I'm a southpaw steared me toward this gun but the safety is in a more natural location for any shooter than the 870's or Nova's. The thumb naturally clicks it off as the gun is brought up. To save some dough the Mossberg 500's et. al. have the same safety location and will work juuuust fine. They, IMO, aren't as "classy" as the BPS but there isn't a thing wrong with them. I'd just go for a model that has interchangeable choke tubes and it'll work fine for HD and trap/bird hunting.

General all purpose is pretty open. I'll tell what I would get. I would look at a Remington 1187 as they come with a 3" chamber or an 1100 super mag if you feel you need 3 1/2.

I have a Beretta 390 (12 years now). I have many thousand rounds through it. 4 weeks ago I was shooting dove in south AL and this week geese, upland and ducks in Saskatchewan. Of course I shot 2 3/4 for upland and 3's for waterfowl. It has a 26" barrel with a Highflyer modified choke that stays in it all the time whether shooting trap, sporting clays or birds. To me it is a gp gun. They are pricey these days, hence the vote for a Remington. The point is shell versatility and semi auto.

A 3 1/2 1100 would give you more punch for coyotes, turkeys and geese. A pump gun shooting 3 1/2's will hurt. I went through 12 boxes of 3's and was glad that I had a semi to eat some of the recoil.

If bad guys come knocking - I have buckshot ready...

I'd focus on your purpose, if trap and home protection then pump is fine. If you think you may end up shooting a lot, get a semi. After thousands of rounds the only parts I've replaced are the recoil spring and mag tube spring. Did it 2 weeks ago as a precaution.

They are pricey these days, hence the vote for a Remington. The point is shell versatility and semi auto.

Not really. Academy is selling the 3901 synthetic gun (same as 390, but made in USA) for $579.00. About the same as a Remington synthetic 11-87.

I think the 390 / 3901 is a far better gun than the 11-87. Not everybody does.

I actually traded my Remington 11-87 Premier in on a Beretta AL390.

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“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." --Helen Keller
"Do not cry havoc when you should but hunt with modest warrant." --William Shakespeare Glock Certified ArmorerNRA Life Member

In that case, with regard to the American 390. Go for it! Check around the web though. There has been some discussion regarding the US 390 on another forum. If they are as solid as the Italian - by all means that is the one to get.

Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 are two excellent pump shotguns that have excellent reputations. Barrels are easily swapped, very versatile guns from both makers. Recently I handled a new shotgun from stoeger called the Outback, its an over under boxlock in twelve or twenty gauge. With twenty inch barrels it is very compact. I think a shotgun like this would fill the role of "all purpose shotgun well.

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